What does it mean to be a New Zealander and a citizen of the world? What is the importance of ethnic-
ity in the 21st century? How are social networking websites changing human relationships? What makes
people decide to live on the streets? These are the kinds of questions that studies in Cultural Anthropology
and Sociology ask and seek to answer. The anthropological and sociological mind is forever curious about
why people behave in the ways they do; as peoples from different cultures move around the world living,
working and trading together, so the need to understand each other increases. Because of their in-depth and
broad understandings of human social behaviour anthropologists and sociologists are in a position to advise
on many issues that confront countries and companies the world over.
Although they are linked, Cultural Anthropology and
Sociology are distinct disciplines.
WHAT IS CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY? Anthropology literally means ‘the study of human
beings’, while cultures are patterns of human behaviour
and knowledge that every human learns as a member of
a society. Cultural Anthropology focuses on how these
cultural patterns shape our experiences.
Cultural anthropologists seek to answer questions such as:
“Why are human groups and their ways of life so differ-
ent around the world? Why, for example, do many New
Zealanders believe it is disgusting and cruel to eat dog,
while Muslims don’t eat pork and Hindus think cows are
sacred? Why do so many young people in New Zealand
decide to get tattoos while many youths in Papua New
Guinea willingly undergo painful scarifi cation rituals?
Why do such cultural differences develop and how might
we understand them better?”
Students of Cultural Anthropology explore how culture is
expressed in areas such as ritual, symbolism, language,
personality, religion, inequality, gender, family, art and
politics. They compare life in New Zealand to the ways
people live in many different locations around the world.
Understanding how other societies organise their lives
and give meaning to their existence also increases people’s
understanding of their own cultural worlds. Whether
studying the hunting practices of Amazonian tribes or the
politics of global agribusiness, the rituals of Pacifi c chiefs
or the culture of corporate New Zealand, anthropology
students examine what it means to be human today.
Anthropological study provides training that is highly
relevant in the 21st century. Economies are increasingly
global and interdependent; workforces and markets are
becoming more fl uid and diverse. This increases demand
for cultural understanding and communication skills in
many areas of employment and at all levels of manage-
ment and decision-making.
Research processes employed by social scientists to exam-
ine indigenous cultures are now being used to understand
corporate cultures. Companies such as IBM use the fi nd-
ings from anthropology to help their corporate processes
run more smoothly.
Dr Elizabeth Tunstall teaches anthropology at the Univer-
sity of Illinois in Chicago. She says, “Contemporary an-
thropology is no longer primarily concerned with exotic
peoples and dinosaurs. Anthropology is engaged with
issues of the global fl ows of people and goods, human
rights and social justice, global feminism, [design], tech-
nology adoption, the social effects of the environmental
degradation, and local sustainability practices.”
WHAT DO ANTHROPOLOGISTS DO?Anthropologists do anything that involves understand-
ing human social and cultural behaviour. They are
trained observers who collect information about people
by listening and watching what others are doing. They
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CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY
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2 CAREER VIEW
often carry out research by living with the people they
study for over a year. They learn their language and
adopt their daily habits, gaining in-depth and fi rsthand
insights into their way of life. This leads them to produce
ethnographies which are detailed texts describing the life
and experiences of a cultural group. Anthropologists also
research the context and think about what has actually as
well as apparently happened, applying various theoreti-
cal models that may explain what they have observed.
They take a holistic view to frame their understanding.
Anthropologists may work in the fi eld – in cities, in rural
areas and in territories distant from their own coun-
try. Many will specialise in a particular area and advise
government, local government, NGOs and corporations.
Health and medicine; business; design; multinational and
multicultural communication; media; marketing; food
and lifestyle; museums and cultural heritage are a few
examples. A PhD and a background of relevant fi eldwork
are required to work as a professional anthropologist.
WHAT IS SOCIOLOGY? Sociology is the study of society and sociologists are
people who try to make sense of the social world – past,
present and future. Society is a phenomenon we are all
creating. The discipline of sociology gives students the
tools with which to take a fresh look at social life. It pro-
vides theoretical frameworks and language with which
to understand, describe and analyse a broad range of
human, social activity. The range of sociological interests
is wide. These include gender, class, ethnicity, families,
social change, health, morality, politics, religion, sport,
work and leisure, technology, cyberspace and many
more. The focus of sociology is the same for every area
of interest: exploring, understanding and explaining
changes in behaviour and social relationships at different
levels.
On one level, Sociology looks at the body and how
people’s ideas about their physical self affect social prac-
tices – for example how people form a sense of identity,
taking into account the effects of gender or class. A
related sub-topic would be the issue of eating disorders,
gender and body image. Other topics may look at parent-
ing, child-raising practices, the incidence of divorce, and
within that the role of fathers, perhaps considering how
social attitudes may determine the relationship of single
fathers to their children. The importance people attach
to ethnicity is also of interest to sociologists. The signifi -
cance of cultural identity has been growing as people
move around the world more freely. People are often
asked which ethnic group they belong to, whether they
are beginning school, enrolling at university, going to
hospital or entering another country.
At another level, Sociology examines how people orga-
nise themselves, creating major social institutions such
as the State. It also examines the dynamics of macro
processes such as population change and globalisation.
WHAT DO SOCIOLOGISTS DO?Sociologists are the people who ask the ‘why’ and ‘how’
questions of the world, and seek to provide answers and
explanations for why the world works differently for
different groups of people. Sociologists are interested in
social groups, their position in society, their experiences,
how they interrelate and the image they have of them-
selves. They are also interested in fi nding out about social
differences between people and explaining why they of-
ten turn into social divisions and perceived inequalities.
In New Zealand there are many ethnic, cultural, age and
class related differences. Sociologists have researched and
theorised about the social differences and inequalities
between Mäori and European, or “pakeha” groups. To do
this they fi nd out about the different views and experi-
ences of people, they observe what people do, as well
as using quantitative data about levels of employment,
income levels, educational attainment, physical and
mental health. They then try to explain why these things
happen.
The process of making sense of data involves forming
ideas or concepts from the detail of a situation. By devel-
oping and applying theories sociologists make sense of
the world they confront. In doing this sociologists can
understand the deeper signifi cance of things and form a
bigger picture within their fi eld of interest. Their fi ndings
and understandings are useful in many areas: race rela-
tions; human rights; healthcare; politics; social services;
local and national government; sport and leisure are a
few.
WHAT SKILLS DO ANTHROPOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY GRADUATES DEVELOP?Cultural Anthropology and Sociology provide students
with a broad range of skills, important in today’s world.
At a general level, these include critical and creative
thinking, research, writing and analysis, and the effective
communication of ideas.
Communication
The ability to communicate verbally and non-verbally
with empathy, respect and understanding is honed
through degree studies that have people as the main
CAREER VIEW 3
©VUW Career Development and Employment©VUW Career Development and Employment
focus. Undergraduate study of Cultural Anthropology
and Sociology also enhances students’ ability to read and
write well, to understand and communicate complex
ideas and information through written work and oral
presentations.
Critical thinking and conceptual skills
As students develop research skills they learn to use dif-
ferent conceptual frameworks, to think in the abstract,
and to analyse and interpret the form and content of
live and written information. In turn they may question,
evaluate and compare the various frameworks they use.
In writing an argument to support their views students
also learn to critically evaluate and edit their own work.
Creativity
The ability to make connections and arrive at insights is
part of the creative process of social research. Through
assignment and project work students also learn to for-
mulate new questions and hypotheses; some may come
up with innovative methods and apply theory in original
ways.
Multi-disciplinary approach
The ability to see the big picture and the connections
between the many different facets of human activity is a
skill graduates develop as they examine cultures and soci-
eties through the lens of social science. This skill enables
graduates to get alongside and work with people from
different disciplines in a range of settings.
Research
Sociology and Anthropology students do extensive re-
search as part of their studies using a range of approach-
es. For example they may gather descriptive data through
participant observation, interviews, ethnographic study,
analysis of documents or the use of surveys. The process
of asking questions, gathering information (facts and
concepts) and evaluating material is a highly transferable
skill sought by many employers. Research roles often
require the ability to do literature searches. A literature
search is a detailed, methodical search to fi nd journal
articles, books and websites on a specifi c topic. Students
acquire this skill through assignment and project work.
CAREERS FOR CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY MAJORSGraduates enter a wide variety of careers. Majoring
in Cultural Anthropology and Sociology, possibly in
conjunction with other majors, is a valuable basis for
planning a career in the social sciences, psychology, law,
social work, the health professions, business and others.
The holistic knowledge and skills concerning people and
cultures acquired during these degrees are highly transfer-
able and increasingly sought by employers. Conjoint or
postgraduate degrees give graduates additional advantage.
Employment opportunities for academic anthropolo-
gists and sociologists in New Zealand are small; graduates
seeking an academic career may need to consider employ-
ment overseas.
Career options:
Public sector research and policy analysis; architecture;
museum curating; cultural heritage management; design;
local and international journalism; documentary fi lm-
making; consumer research and advertising; mediation
and dispute resolution; immigration and refugee services;
travel and tourism work; international marketing; cross-
cultural relations consultancy; public relations; human
resources/industrial relations; urban planning; inter-
national development; NGO and humanitarian work;
foreign service; public health; community work; law
enforcement; probation work; English language teaching
abroad; local government administration; social work;
social science research; government; law.
WHERE DO ANTHROPOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY GRADUATES WORK?Across both public and private sectors employment op-
tions are diverse and exciting. In many fi elds of work,
from entry-level positions through to senior levels of
management, the ability to understand and work with
others is essential, along with well developed commu-
nication and thinking skills. Technical expertise is not
always the main criterion for employment, but a conjoint
degree or double major that includes other work related
content such as law or management can be an advantage.
Employers always consider the strength of candidates’
transferable skills, their university grades and how they
would 'fi t' into their team and organisational culture.
Public Sector
Government departments, ministries and government
agencies employ graduates to entry-level positions such
as policy analyst, policy advisor, ministerial writer, ad-
ministration offi cer/assistant, communications offi cer/ad-
visor, researcher, research assistant and library assistant.
Some ministries have graduate development programmes,
depending on their recruitment needs and the economic
climate. The Ministries of Education, Social Develop-
ment, Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Internal Affairs are
large ministries that need graduates with excellent ge-
neric skills. Some government departments such as New
©VUW Career Development and Employment
4 CAREER VIEW
Zealand’s International Aid and Development Agency
(NZAID) recruit people with postgraduate degrees. NZAID
recruits people with several years experience in the fi eld
who also have a postgraduate degree in areas such as
development studies or other related subjects.
Typically, a graduate entry-level position may require ex-
cellent, proven analytical skills; high-level oral and writ-
ten communication skills; strong people skills; self-confi -
dence and the ability to relate to and work with a diverse
range of others; a good postgraduate degree: honours
degree or higher; or a conjoint degree including either
law, economics or science; an interest in issues pertaining
to the work of the particular ministry. (Based on material
from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website.)
Policy analysts and researchers need to be strong analyt-
ical thinkers, able to carry out detailed, thorough research
using quantitative and qualitative methodologies. They
must be able to see the big picture, think imaginatively
and across disciplines, consider trends and possibilities in
the longer term as well as gain a detailed understanding
of a particular fi eld. Excellent written and verbal commu-
nication skills are essential.
Local Government
Local government – councils and regional councils –
manage a very wide range of services for the community.
Graduates with special interests may fi nd employment
in areas such as: housing, disability, sport and recreation,
human resources, public health (eg. homelessness, men-
tal health, child health and safety, nutrition and physical
activity), event management, emergency management,
health and safety, community centres, holiday pro-
grammes, urban design and planning and others.
NGOs
A non-governmental organisation (NGO) is any non-
profi t, voluntary citizens’ group, which is organised on a
local, national or international level. Task-oriented and
driven by people with a common interest, NGOs perform
a variety of service and humanitarian functions, bring
citizen concerns to Governments, advocate and monitor
policies, and encourage political participation through
provision of information. Some are organised around
specifi c issues, such as human rights, environment or
health. They provide analysis and expertise, serve as early
warning mechanisms, and help monitor and implement
international agreements.
NGOs may also have a relationship with the United
Nations, a large organisation that employs many people
with a social science background. NGOs such as Red
Cross, Amnesty International, Council for International
Development, Oxfam, World Vision and local com-
munity organisations carry out humanitarian work that
often fi ts well with the values and training of anthro-
pology and sociology graduates. Other NGOs such as
Presbyterian Support Services, Anglican Care, Salvation
Army and Barnardos provide services to specifi c groups
in the population - children, elderly and families. They
may do research around improving service provision and
good practice in relation to their clientele in particular
regions. In New Zealand the staff of NGOs is often small.
The work may involve research, surveys, advocacy, fund
raising, giving policy advice to government, devising
programmes and events, communications and publicity,
and general administration. Doing voluntary work is a
way to get to know the work of an NGO and may lead to
paid work.
Education Sector
Teaching Social Studies and other related subjects in sec-
ondary schools is a rewarding career for graduates with a
passion for interacting with young people. Social Studies
allows students to investigate diverse cultures, political
and religious systems. Students may do a conjoint degree
with a Bachelor of Teaching and double major or a one-
year Graduate Diploma of Teaching following graduation
with a Bachelor’s degree or higher. Educational research
and policy are other options.
Teaching at university level usually requires a PhD.
Graduates can advance their research and teaching skills
by undertaking a Master’s degree or PhD and may have
the opportunity to tutor undergraduate students. Many
students also go overseas to study. Other roles in tertiary
institutions include academic advisors, career consul-
tants, trainers or administrators.
Journalism
Skills in written and oral communication, social re-
search, qualitative interviewing and fi eldwork provide
an excellent base for journalism work. Anthropology
and sociology graduates intending to work as permanent
editorial staff (reporters, sub-editors, editors) in the media
usually require a Diploma in Journalism. It is possible to
write freelance for niche publications without an industry
qualifi cation.
Human Resources
Human resource professionals work in large public or
private sector organisations. They may work with a con-
sultancy or run their own business. A human resources
offi cer develops, advises on and implements policies con-
cerning the effective use of personnel within an organisa-
tion. Typical roles are: human resource advisor/manager,
©VUW Career Development and Employment©VUW Career Development and Employment
recruitment coordinator and training offi cer. Human
resource practitioners often have additional qualifi ca-
tions in business management, fi nance, human resources,
organisational psychology and other related fi elds.
Business/Financial Sector/Law
Banks, insurance companies, state-owned enterprises, and
companies from large multi-nationals to medium and
small businesses employ graduates with diverse majors.
Employers recognise that the ability to communicate well
with clients and customers is vital to success in business.
A conjoint degree in subjects such as law or marketing
opens the fi eld even wider. The following are typical role
titles: administration offi cer, business analyst, graduate
management trainee, marketing assistant, communica-
tions advisor, customer services offi cer and information
offi cer. In law fi rms graduates who have a combined
degree in arts and law may be practising solicitors or law
librarians. A degree combining Anthropology or Sociol-
ogy with marketing would be very useful in marketing,
public relations or advertising.
Museums and Art Galleries
Depending on their size, museums and art galleries
employ staff in research, collection management, ad-
ministration, education, exhibition design and display,
publicity and communications. Anthropology graduates
may do research and work with collections and provide
written material for exhibitions. A background in Anthro-
pology is also valuable when mediating relationships be-
tween different cultural groups who contribute artefacts
and cultural knowledge to collections.
Public Relations
The process by which organisations establish and
maintain goodwill and understanding with stakehold-
ers requires people with excellent written and verbal
communication and interpersonal skills. Industry specifi c
qualifi cations are an advantage. Public Relations seeks to
manage public opinion by transmitting positive informa-
tion to those the organisation wants to infl uence. The
related function of communications is responsible for
promoting an organisation’s image and reputation to the
public, as well as informing staff and clients about what
is happening within the organisation. This may involve
writing web content for Intranet or public websites as
well as material for pamphlets, articles, annual reports,
media releases and so on. At higher levels advisors will
advise on communications policy and strategy. Entry-
level positions such as communications advisor/offi cer
may require additional qualifi cations such as media stud-
ies or journalism.
GRADUATE PROFILESBen Steele
Advisor, PoliticalNew Zealand Permanent Mission to the United Nations
When I fi nished high school
I was keen to see some of the
world before starting univer-
sity. New Zealand is a small
country and although I love
the place I thought it impor-
tant to see what else was out
there. So for the next six months I travelled overland from
Mongolia to India – camping in the Gobi Desert, sleeping on
the Great Wall, standing on the toe of a 70-metre-high Bud-
dha, trekking in the Himalayas, getting lost in the Bombay
slums. It was this travel, these experiences that led me to
anthropology.
Anthropology is, of course, about people – specifi cally, dif-
ferences and similarities between people. Because it has hu-
manity at the centre of its focus, anthropology illuminates
countless other disciplines. It is wide enough to encompass
political science, economics and international relations,
among others. But rather than focusing on just one, anthro-
pology offers a holistic perspective – it lets you see how all
are related and connected.
After completing a BA with Honours in Anthropology and
English Literature, I worked at the Offi ce of Treaty Settle-
ments where I helped resolve historical Treaty grievances on
behalf of the New Zealand Government. I then won a Ful-
bright Scholarship and moved to New York City to complete
a Master’s Degree in Anthropology at Columbia University.
Now I work at the New Zealand Permanent Mission to the
United Nations in New York where I cover the work of the
UN Security Council, general peace and security issues such
as the Middle East, Afghanistan and Iran, and provide policy
advice to the New Zealand Government. In this role I have
been part of the frontline of politics: ambassadors debating
with vehemence, world leaders like Obama and Netanyahu
orating from the lectern, negotiations on resolutions with
colleagues from around the world. I have been at coalface
of crises like the wars in Georgia and Gaza and I get to deal
daily with international political issues.
Although a background in International Relations or Politi-
cal Science would be more natural for my current vocation,
the beauty of anthropology is its unique holistic lens. In
international politics, like economics and media, most issues
are linked to most other issues. Anthropology has given me
the skills to see the links and convergences - a perspective
that is essential in this interconnected and interdependent
world.
CAREER VIEW 5
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6 CAREER VIEW
Kate Yesberg
Human Rights and Development Work
Tena koutou! My name is
Kate Yesberg. I have recently
fi nished a BA in Anthropol-
ogy, and am soon to complete
an LLB (Hons). Anthropology
is the study of human beings
– our cultures, preferences,
experiences and interactions.
The fi rst anthropology text I
read was about the struggle of Puerto Rican migrants in
New York’s underground economy – a piercing, sensitive
and genuinely affecting book which sparked my inter-
est in power relations, inequality and social justice. This
interest has led me, as it has grown, on some excellent
adventures.
The Anthropology programme fosters inquisitiveness,
refl ection and a pro-active commitment to positive social
change. The interdisciplinary, holistic nature of anthro-
pology is stimulating, fl exible and intellectually reward-
ing. I was introduced to ideas which have changed the
way I see and understand the social world. Through an-
thropology I have become more aware and critical of my
own humanity, learning how to relate theoretical ideas to
my own experiences in New Zealand and abroad.
In 2008 I took time out from studying to explore human
rights and development work in Southeast Asia. Initially
I volunteered with an NGO in Cambodia, where human
rights violations and land grabbing are crippling the ur-
ban and rural poor. While nothing really prepares you for
that kind of hardship, anthropology fosters the percep-
tions that can help make sense of social and cultural sys-
tems in order to approach such problems constructively.
From Cambodia I moved on to an internship at the UN
Offi ce of Recovery Coordination in Aceh, Indonesia. Aceh
is recovering from the dual tragedies of natural disaster
and war. Incredible amounts of aid money have poured
into the province and Aceh is now at the forefront of
development. I was working primarily under the UN’s
post-confl ict advisor, tasked with ensuring that develop-
ment in the province is ‘confl ict sensitive’ – that it works
to entrench peace, rather than exacerbate old divides.
It gave me great insight into how cultures and communi-
ties rebuild and develop after such intense loss. How do
you rebuild social and political systems after such massive
loss of life? How do you bring together former enemies to
implement new governance arrangements that redistrib-
ute newly acquired wealth? How do you achieve justice
and reconciliation without sparking political backlash?
More and more, international development agencies
are hiring and valuing anthropologists for their hands-
on, holistic approach to problem solving because their
cultural insights are intrinsic to the success or failure of
development projects.
For me, anthropology is a perspective which allows us to
value and understand human experience at individual,
family, community, national and international levels. My
intention on fi nishing University is to work within the
New Zealand justice system for a time, before embarking
upon further socio-legal postgraduate study in the United
States.
My advice is to stick with the ideas that grab you, be dar-
ing, and see where it leads.
Anna Gruner
Research AnalystIMSED ResearchDepartment of Labour
I’m not sure if it has anything
to do with moving to New
Zealand from Germany as a
child but I have always been
interested in other cultures
and societies. In that way I
guess that Anthropology is
the obvious choice – the only
problem was that I had never heard of it when I started
university. Luckily when I was enrolling to study English
and Sociology someone suggested I take Anthropology
to fi ll in my timetable. I remember the fi rst lectures well
– they were a bit of a revelation. Was using an ATM really
cultural? By looking at how other people see the world
and how they do things made me look at my own life in
a completely new way. I loved it!
Throughout my studies I enjoyed the ongoing challenge
that Anthropology provided. It taught me to be enquiring
and critical – suddenly the most mundane daily activities
became incredibly interesting by looking at them from an
anthropological perspective. Anthropology also gave me
a real appreciation of the fact that while cultures around
the world may be incredibly different, there are still cer-
tain aspects that make us all very much the same. It was a
real lesson in differences and similarities, in analysis and
understanding.
CAREER VIEW 7
©VUW Career Development and Employment
In my ongoing fascination with my own culture and
everyday life, I decided to look at people’s home gardens
for my Master’s. In a sense the topic probably doesn’t
matter too much, but doing it taught me a lot about re-
search methods, analysis and writing. These are the very
skills that really matter for my work today – both in my
research at the Department of Labour (IMSED – Interna-
tional Migration Settlement & Employment Dynamics)
looking at the long-term settlement of former refugees
in New Zealand and in my teaching of a social research
methods paper at the Open Polytechnic. Doing social
research is a perfect way to keep fi nding out more about
what people do, how they see the world and what mat-
ters to them. Just as when I started my studies, I still love
learning about people. For anyone who is interested in
other cultures, as well as their own, I would recommend
Anthropology.
Sam Stacey
FreelanceTelevision Production
From Charismatic Cult Leaders
to Global Cities and the rise of
Facebook, my studies in Soci-
ology scoped an enormously
broad range of topics and
shed new light on the ways
in which we ‘think’ about
society.
I always had a particular interest in the arts, drama and
media while growing up. After being accepted into drama
school I decided that I’d rather pursue a career in television
and set out to get a degree ‘under my belt’. I didn’t commit
to a major at the start and instead took a variety of courses
from a wide range of disciplines. In my fi rst year I took pa-
pers in Social Policy, Media Studies, Gender and Women’s
Studies, Marketing, Sociology and Religious Studies. I’ve al-
ways been interested in social interaction and the ways in
which we co-exist in society. Without going down a scien-
tifi c or medical path, I wanted to study these from a social
perspective and explore the complex processes of human
relationships that we live out seamlessly. Being a creative
thinker, sociology allowed me to engage with topics of my
own interest and also work into my studies my interest in
the media to examine how such forms of communication
are utilised in contemporary social life.
University life was amazing and the additional opportuni-
ties on offer have also helped me build up my CV. While
studying I travelled as a Student Representative with the
University to speak at promotional events about my expe-
riences at university and I also worked as a sociology PASS
study group leader in my fi nal year.
After completing my degree I set out to use my university
skills in the media industry. In my current job in television
production I use sociology as a sort of tool belt that follows
me wherever I go. Understanding people, our daily interac-
tions and the societies we live in plays a signifi cant role in
understanding our media industry and the daily habitual
practices of watching television.
Having a deeper understanding of social existence is
thought-provoking and insightful. For me personally I
think university should be a time of widening horizons
and exploring a variety of academic disciplines rather than
a sure-set career-specifi c education. Sociology provided
me with a framework of knowledge that will undeniably
continue to play a large role in my career.
Phot
o: D
epar
tmen
t of
Soc
iolo
gy, S
am H
oust
on S
tate
Uni
vers
ity
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8 CAREER VIEW
The School of Social and Cultural Studies in particular Dr Allison Kirkman, Head of School, Prof Brigitte Bonisch-Brednich, Programme Director - Cultural Anthropology and Carol Hogan, School Manager; graduates Anna Gruner, Sam Stacey, Ben Steele and Kate Yesberg; and all those people who contributed to this publication.
Career View is published by Career Development and EmploymentVictoria University of Wellington, Te Whare Wänanga o te Üpoko o te Ika a MäuiPO Box 600, Wellington, Tel: 64-4-463-5390 or 64-4-463-5393, Fax 64-4-463 5252www.victoria.ac.nz/careers
April 2010ISSN 1172-4315
CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY AT VICTORIACultural Anthropology and Sociology are part of the
School of Social and Cultural Studies in the Faculty of
Humanities and Social Sciences. Other subjects taught in
this School include Criminology and Social Policy. The
School has an overall focus on the analysis of human
behaviour within society. It is the patterning of such
behaviour and how we understand and organise our lives
as social beings that you will learn more about. Many
of the concepts and research methods used in our core
programmes are ‘portable’, in the sense that they can be
applied in more than one area, and this provides a focus
for integration within the School.
We are interested in critical social theory, as are other
disciplines, but what you can expect to learn from us are
current analyses of how societies and cultures are formed,
how they are governed, how they break down and how we
might envisage new and viable future social and cultural
systems.
The School actively develops and monitors a culture of
research and scholarship that maintains its established
disciplinary strengths. We give appropriate attention to
research and scholarship by Mäori and about Mäori within
the fi elds of our competence, and actively refl ect in our
varied curricula consideration of the social, political and
policy aspects inherent in scholarly examination of the
contemporary signifi cance of the Treaty of Waitangi.
To ensure that you meet your future academic and em-
ployment aspirations, it is important to plan your degree
programme carefully. This may mean completing courses
in other subjects and possibly a second major.
To complete a Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Anthropology
you might like to consider structuring your course of study
so that your Cultural Anthropology courses are comple-
mented with other social science courses that further your
areas of interest. Sociology and Human Geography are
closely related disciplines to Cultural Anthropology and
anthropological perspectives are included in some Mäori
Studies, Religious Studies, Pacifi c Studies and Asian Stud-
ies courses. Courses in Social Policy and Criminology can
also be useful complements to a Cultural Anthropology
major.
Cultural Anthropology staff research interests include:
culture and migration; the cultural dimensions of in-
equality, power and resistance; the cultural organisation
of complex societies; Pacifi c cultures; culture and ethnic-
ity; and culture and architecture.
Sociology can effectively combine with other social
science subjects such as Cultural Anthropology, Social
Policy, Economics, Geography, Political Science and
Psychology. Very useful combinations can also be made
with Criminology, Education, History, Media Studies,
Philosophy and Religious Studies. Computer Science,
Information Technology and Mathematics are always
useful subjects for students with an interest in social data
analysis and research. Sociology can also provide an ef-
fective comparative focus for those who are interested in
languages and literature. Sociology also has an affi nity
with many aspects of Law and Commerce, and those
interested in the social context of legal and business insti-
tutions will fi nd it of interest.
Sociology staff research interests include: nationalism;
multi-culturism and bi-culturism; medical sociology;
gender, sexuality and health; bioethics; ageing; death
and dying; hegemony and race relations in New Zealand;
classical and contemporary political and social theory;
the history of ideas, post-Marxism; political sociology;
the sociology of development and globalisation; cultural
studies; embodiment; everyday life; and humour.
Cultural Anthropology and Sociology can also be pur-
sued at the postgraduate level. This includes: Graduate
Diploma in Arts (GradDipArts); Bachelor of Arts with
Honours (BA(Hons)); Master of Arts (MA); and Doctor of
Philosophy (PhD).
Special thanks to: